Laundry machine



June 18, 1946. I w. YGANELES 2,402,278

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1944 1 AF// IE5 Jdf/l amend/ 30% W60 G meLes',

Patented June 18, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims. 1

My invention relates to laundering machines, particularly the type employed in commercial laundries.

Laundering machines currently in use in such establishments are generally of the rotary drum type, in which the rotation of the heavy drum with its content of clothes and washing fluid requires a proportionately large expenditure of power to operate the same.

An object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a simple, yet efficient, laundering machine, effecting economy in cost, maintenance and operation.

Another important object of my invention is. to provide such a machine which will obtain thorough cleansing of the clothe without subjecting the same to rough-handling that might result in damage to the clothes such as by tearing or distortion.

A more detailed object of my invention is to provide a stationary drum with a rotatable paddle that is formed with a ribbed or corrugated surface to lift the clothing being cleaned and at the same time to impart a rubbing action as the clothing moves over the ribs.

Other objectives and advantages of my invention will appear from the following descri tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section partly in elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same embodiment but showing the rotating paddle moved to a different position in its path.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of an embodiment employing a modified form of paddle.

The apparatus comprises a horizontally mounted stationary drum or cylinder l, which is rigidly supported by suitable standards l-a affixed thereto in any desired manner. The drum or cylinder is provided with a hinged closure member or door 2, through which the clothes or other material to be treated are adapted to be introduced. The treating fluid, which may be, for instance, aqueous detergent or dry cleaning solvent, is admitted through a conduit 3 and discharged through a conduit 4, each of which may be provided with appropriate piping connections, and, if desired, valves and/or fluid circulatin means (not shown).

Mounted for rotation within the drum is a paddle 5 supported for rotation on the shaft -8 which is suitably Journalled on the sides of the stationary cylinder I. The paddle is driven by suitable power connection such as through an electric motor. I

The paddle 5 is provided on its surfaces wit ribs 1 and at its radial extremities with resilient guards 8 for purposes hereinafter set forth.

The paddle is preferably rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2 so that the clothes to be washed are fted out of the washing fluid through a complete 180 degree angle and dropped again into the washing fluid during each complete cycle of rotation of the paddle. During such movement the clothes are subjected to agitation in the washing fluid, to the rubbing action of the ribs I as well as to the impact of the paddle. thereby receiving an effective cleansing action. The cushioned extremities 8 of the paddle are made to provide a close fit with the wall of the cylinder without impeding free movement, and thereby operate as guard means to prevent articles of clothing being caught between the paddle ends and the cylinder, which might resuit in damage to the clothes. As seen from Fig. 2, the paddle divides the cylinder into two substantially equal compartments, either or both of which may contain the clothes to be washed.

In Fig. 1, the paddle is shownin a position it would occupy after having rotated through an arc of approximately degrees from a vertical position. In loading the machine, the clothes are admitted through the hinged closure 2, partly filling the space on one side of the paddle. If desired, the paddl may then be moved through an arc sufflcient to bring into position the unfilled space on the opposite side of the paddle.

The guards 8 at the radial extremities of the paddle are advantageously constructed of rubber or like resilient cushioning material. The outermost side of each guard is curved to conform to the inner periphery of the cylinder.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 3 the paddle occupies in width approximately only half the diameter of the cylinder. This embodiment is particularly effective when employed for washing clothes enclosed in bags. In operation, the bag of clothes will slide down the paddle during the course of its rotation and be subjected to increased impact.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinct- 1:; claim as my invention:

1. In a laundering machine, a stationary cylindrical container, the walls of said container being imperiorate throughout substantially the entire area thereof, an imperiorate paddle mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis within the container, said paddle extending across the full diameter of said container and being provided on its surface with ribs extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the paddle, said paddle having resilient guards contiguous the inner periphery of the container and paralleling the same through a substantial portion or the arcuate length of the guard.

2. In a laundering machine, a cylindrical container having imperiorate walls, a liquid impervious paddle mounted about a substantially horizontal axis for relative rotation therein and extending throughout approximately the entire axial length of the container and extending across the full diameter of said container, there being 4 diametrically spaced cushioning means on said paddle adjacent the cylindrical wall of the container to prevent entry or clothes between the edges of the paddle and the said wall, said paddle being provided on its surface with ribs extending parallel to the axis of rotation thereof.

3. In a laundering machine, a horizontally disposed stationary cylindrical container, a flat impervious partition extending across a complete diameter of the container and dividing the same into two substantially equal compartments, said partition being mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis on a shaft journalled in the end walls of the container, a series of ribs extending outwardly from said partition and on both sides thereof, said ribs being so located that one rib is immediately adjacent another rib, said ribs being triangular in cross section, each end of said partition being provided with a resilient guard that slidably engages the inner periphery of said stationary container.

WOLF GANELES. 

